England and Wales Population Sees Second Largest Increase in 75 Years Due to Migration

The population of England and Wales experienced the second-largest annual increase in over 75 years, mainly due to international migration. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the population grew by 700,000 in the year leading up to June 2024, marking the second largest numerical rise since 1949. The surge was primarily driven by a net international migration of 690,147, contributing to 98% of the total population increase.

During the same period, an estimated 1,142,303 individuals immigrated to England and Wales, while 452,156 likely emigrated. Natural population change, resulting from births and deaths, played a minor role in the growth, with slightly more births (596,012) than deaths (566,030) adding 29,982 to the population.

The total population of England and Wales reached 61.8 million in mid-2024, up by 1.2% from the previous year. Internal migration from other parts of the UK to England and Wales was lower compared to the movement from these regions to elsewhere in the UK.

Nigel Henretty from the ONS noted that the population of England and Wales has been increasing annually since mid-1982, with recent years showing a higher rate of growth. He highlighted that net international migration remained the primary driver of this growth, aligning with the trend observed since the early 2000s.

Earlier this year, the UK population surpassed that of France for the first time, reaching 68.3 million in mid-2023. The ONS projects the UK population to reach 73.7 million by mid-2036, reaching the 70 million milestone a decade earlier than previously anticipated.

The government's plans to reduce immigration, including cuts to legal migration routes and stricter requirements, have been met with criticism. Concerns have also been raised about the declining birthrate in the UK, currently at 1.44 children per woman, below the replacement level needed to sustain the population.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson emphasized the importance of addressing factors such as the cost of living and housing to encourage more young people to start families if they choose.

According to the source: The Guardian.